Peterbilt hybrid truck delivers the good stuff

Peterbilt has announced that it has delivered its first medium duty hybrid truck to a lucky customer. VinLux Fine Wine Transport received the vehicle at a Hybrid Vehicle Ride and Drive event in Napa, California. The premium wine delivery service operates a fleet of 35 temperature-controlled delivery trucks and transports over 700 orders a day. Using today's prices to make the calculation, they expect a return on their hybrid truck investments in as little as two years. According to Bill Jackson, Peterbilt General Manager and PACCAR Vice President, "our Medium Duty Hybrid Vehicles have proven to not only provide a 30 - 50 percent increase in fuel efficiency but also "dramatically reduce tailpipe emissions of hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and oxides of nitrogen (NOx)."

The delivery corresponded with the kick-off of the Peterbilt Medium Duty Hybrid Demonstration Tour. The tour is designed to give current and future customers across the U.S. and in Canada a chance to try out a Class 7 Model 330 or 335. If that sounds like as much fun to you as it does to us, you can contact your local dealer to find out when they'll be in your area. We aren't sure if we can back this beast into the AutoblogGreen Garage, but if we can, we'll let you know all about it. Press releases after the break.

NAPA VALLEY, CA (August 12, 2008) – Peterbilt Motors Company held a press conference and Hybrid Vehicle Ride and Drive event in Napa, California to commemorate the delivery of its first production Medium Duty Hybrid Electric vehicles to VinLux Fine Wine Transport.

"We applaud VinLux's adoption of Peterbilt Hybrid vehicles, as well as their innovative business model and commitment to environmental responsibility," said Bill Jackson, Peterbilt General Manager and PACCAR Vice President. "Our Medium Duty Hybrid Vehicles have proven to not only provide a 30 - 50 percent increase in fuel efficiency, depending upon the application, but also dramatically reduce tailpipe emissions of hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and oxides of nitrogen (NOx)."

VinLux Fine Wine Transport took delivery of the first two Peterbilt Hybrid Model 335 production vehicles as an important investment in Peterbilt's and VinLux's environmental stewardship. VinLux Fine Wine Transport is a joint venture between two family owned companies, Biagi Bros. Inc. and Jackson Family Estates. The new Peterbilt Hybrid trucks will be used for delivery routes in urban locales like San Francisco.

"We're committed to going green and protecting the Californian environment, and the Peterbilt Hybrids are a perfect solution for us," said Fred Biagi, Owner, VinLux Fine Wine Transport. "By adding Hybrid vehicles to our fleet, we expect our investment will be returned in as little as two years, based on the rapidly escalating price of fuel."

"We expect that the fuel efficiency and energy savings will be impressive while driving our high profile delivery routes", said Tom Tunt, President, VinLux Fine Wine Transport. "Peterbilt's Hybrid technologies will be an important component of our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint while still meeting the delivery needs of our California customers."

The Class 7 Peterbilt Hybrid Electric Model 335 uses Eaton's Hybrid Electric Power System with an electric motor that assists the PACCAR PX-6 engine with supplemental torque for improved fuel economy. The system stores energy during stopping through a process called regenerative braking, and then reuses it for acceleration. Fuel use, emissions and noise are greatly reduced.

VinLux Fine Wine Transport offers a concierge level of service and handling of premium and luxury wines and can efficiently and accurately deliver to over 9,000 accounts throughout California. Equipped with 35 temperature-controlled delivery trucks that feature real-time tracking capability, and two computerized, temperature-controlled warehouses strategically located in Northern California and Southern California, Vin Lux is transporting 700 orders per day and tracking more than 1,200 different wines. www.vinluxtransport.com

Peterbilt Motors Company, a division of PACCAR Inc (Nasdaq: PCAR), manufactures premium quality trucks for a wide range of markets, including over-the-road, construction, municipal and medium duty. Based in Denton, Texas, Peterbilt combines classic styling, innovative design and superior-quality features in a custom-engineered truck that stands as the "Class" of the industry. Through its 240-plus North American dealer locations, Peterbilt also provides a comprehensive array of TruckCare® aftermarket support programs, including preventive maintenance plans, expedited QuickCare services, automated parts inventory replenishment and 24/7 complimentary Customer Assistance through 1-800-4-PETERBILT. For more information about Peterbilt, visit http://www.peterbilt.com.

NAPA VALLEY, CA (August 12, 2008) – Peterbilt Motors Company introduced its Medium Duty Hybrid Demonstration Tour today in Napa Valley, California at its Hybrid Production Launch Press Conference and Ride and Drive. The Ride and Drive event allowed local government officials, media and customers the ability to test drive and learn first-hand about the newly available Peterbilt Model 330 and 335 Hybrid Electric vehicles.

The Peterbilt Medium Duty Hybrid Demonstration Tour is designed to provide existing and prospective customers in the United States and Canada the ability to test drive and evaluate the new 2009 Peterbilt Medium Duty Hybrid Models. Hybrid vehicles currently scheduled on tour are the Hybrid Electric Model 330 and Model 335 for applications such as utility, pickup and delivery and dump truck users. For more information customers can contact their local dealer or visit www.peterbilt.com.

The Class 7 Model 335 Hybrid Electric utilizes components that provide up to a 50 percent improvement in fuel efficiency when configured for a utility application. These fuel savings are realized through both an on-road fuel economy gain, and an80 percent reduction in engine idling, through electric operation of the Power Take-Off (PTO) using the on-board lithium-ion batteries.

The Class 6 Model 330 Hybrid Electric features the integration of the Eaton Hybrid Drive System and the 260-horsepower PACCAR PX-6 engine which delivers up to 860 ft-lbs of torque. Launching the vehicle electrically in an urban driving cycle can easily achieve fuel economy benefits in excess of 30 percent. Peterbilt Motors Company, a division of PACCAR Inc (Nasdaq: PCAR), manufactures premium quality trucks for a wide range of markets, including over-the-road, construction, municipal and medium duty. Based in Denton, Texas, Peterbilt combines classic styling, innovative design and superior-quality features in a custom-engineered truck that stands as the "Class" of the industry. Through its 240-plus North American dealer locations, Peterbilt also provides a comprehensive array of TruckCare® aftermarket support programs, including preventive maintenance plans, expedited QuickCare services, automated parts inventory replenishment and 24/7 complimentary Customer Assistance through 1-800-4-PETERBILT. For more information about Peterbilt, visit www.peterbilt.com.

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